22 Delicious, Satisfying Tofu Recipes to Get You Out of Your Usual Cooking Routine

tofu tomatillo stew
Photo: Con Poulos

Tofu is a high-protein, low-fat, vitamin-and-mineral-rich food that's made by curdling soy milk, much as regular milk is curdled to make mozzarella. An extremely versatile ingredient, tofu can take on so many different flavors and be cooked in many different ways—as you'll see in this collection of tofu recipes.

Sure it can be the star of dinner, a main dish that's vegan or vegetarian such as a stew, salad, soup, or noodle dish, but you'll also find stellar tofu recipes that include ground pork and other meats. And don't overlook it for dessert, our collection includes a sweet where tofu brings creamy dairy-free deliciousness. Last but definitely not least, consider tofu recipes at breakfast, because there's a French toast that's not to be missed.

01 of 22

Crumbled-Tofu-and-Shiitake Lettuce Cups

crumbled-tofu-and-shiitake lettuce cups
Nico Schinco

A fresh weeknight dinner that just happens to be vegan. Crumbled tofu and chopped shiitakes are crisped on the stovetop and seasoned with a lively sauce made with hoisin and sambal oelek, then nestled into lettuce leaves along with steamed rice and chopped peanuts.

02 of 22

Gingery Tofu Ramen Bowls

Gingery Tofu Ramen Bowls
Ren Fuller

Try this easy, flavorful ramen recipe that comes together in under an hour. Firm tofu and dried ramen noodles are tossed with a mixture of tamari, lime juice, maple syrup, scallions, ginger, and peanut butter. The best part is that it's vegan!

03 of 22

Winter Cobb Salad

winter cobb salad with tofu and shiitakes
Con Poulos

Tofu baked with tamari and crispy shiitake mushrooms are the unexpected ingredients in this plant-based take on the beloved main dish salad. There's one more switch, kale is the green home base. It gets topped with the classic Cobb ingredients, creamy avocado, cherry tomatoes, hard-cooked eggs, and blue cheese.

04 of 22

Tofu-Tomatillo Stew

tofu tomatillo stew
Con Poulos

Hominy, tomatillos, and tofu come together to make a hearty stew in just 45 minutes. Our secret? The tofu is coated with taco seasoning before it's broiled for extra flavor and texture.

05 of 22

Smoky Tofu Chili

Smoky Tofu Chili
Con Poulos

Spiced and smoky, this chili recipe gets its flavor from chipotles in adobo, ground cumin, and fire-roasted diced tomatoes. There's plenty of protein thanks to crumbled tofu and a can of black beans, which you'll add after the vegetables and spices cook together.

06 of 22

Ginger-Lemongrass Broth with Noodles, Silken Tofu, and Broccoli

Ginger-Lemongrass Broth with Noodles, Silken Tofu, and Broccoli recipe
Yuki Sugiura

For a hearty, fragrant noodle soup to warm your soul and nourish your body, try this recipe. Chicken broth is enhanced with an aromatic combination of onion, garlic, lemongrass, ginger, cilantro, and Thai chile.

07 of 22

Tofu with Ginger-Cilantro Sauce

tofu with ginger cilantro sauce served on a black plate
Elizabeth Cecil

Tofu takes on smoky, charred flavors when grilled outdoors—or on a grill pan inside. The green sauce made with scallions, lime juice, cilantro, and jalapeños adds a kick of heat and brightness.

08 of 22

Freezer Burritos

freezer burritos on tan plate
Bryan Gardner

Prepare lunch or dinner for the week with these make-ahead, freezer-friendly burritos. Fill flour tortillas with mashed beans and chile powder, two kinds of rice, tofu, our Easy Roasted Vegetables, and mixed greens.

09 of 22

Roasted Cherries with Tofu "Panna Cotta"

tofu panna with roasted cherries
Ren Fuller

Bet you've never thought of serving tofu for dessert! In this recipe, steamed tofu is topped with roasted cherries tossed with honey, lemon juice, and raspberries. It's a fruity, silky, syrupy dessert that will disappear from your plate in a flash.

10 of 22

Soba-Noodle Bowl with Tofu

soba noodle bowl with tofu recipe plate
Sidney Bensimon

Make this 30-minute vegetarian meal when you need to get dinner on the table quickly. Nutty, chewy soba noodles are dressed with a mixture of soy sauce, lime juice, and chili sauce, then topped with sautéed asparagus and silken tofu.

11 of 22

Miso Soup

miso soup
Marcus Nilsson

There's nothing like a bowl of this warm, umami-rich soup right before the start of a sushi dinner. It's a simple, super speedy soup that tastes just like a restaurant version.

12 of 22

Vegan Banana French Toast

vegan-french-toast-0040-d112283.jpg
Mike Krautter

A dairy-free version of French toast, this recipe might not be traditional but it is delicious. Bananas, tofu, maple syrup, almond milk, vanilla, and cinnamon are blended together for creamy base that's almost too good to be true.

13 of 22

Mapo Tofu

mapo-tofu-009-d113087.jpg
Bryan Gardner

Prepare for some serious heat in this stir-fry pork and tofu dish that is delicious served with rice. Wondering what gives it so much spice? A combination of black-bean chili sauce, fermented chili bean paste, and Szechuan peppercorns add layers of flavor.

14 of 22

Chinese Corn-and-Mushroom Soup

chinese-corn-and-mushroom-soup-204-exp3-d113040-1.jpg
Bryan Gardner

In just 20 minutes, this spicy and savory vegetarian soup comes together. The vegetables cook directly in the broth (be sure to use vegetable broth to keep it vegetarian); then, silken tofu, soy sauce, sambal oelek, and toasted sesame oil are added.

15 of 22

Crispy Fried Tofu

tofu-031-bg-6137662.jpg
Bryan Gardner

Here's an innovative side dish that everyone will enjoy. Firm tofu is cut into sticks, tossed in cornstarch, and fried until airy and crispy. Dip them in sriracha mayonnaise, which is a genius alternative to ketchup.

16 of 22

Lumpia

spring-rolls-102935771.jpg
Martyna Szczesna

A staple of Filipino cuisine, these tofu and shrimp spring rolls are a savory starter that are easy to eat. The filling is also made with mung bean sprouts, garlic, and scallions, and they're all served alongside our Vinegar-Garlic Dipping Sauce.

17 of 22

Tofu with Baby Bok Choy and Rice Noodles

tofu-bok-choy-089-d112025.jpg
Bryan Gardner

Often the simplest dishes are the most special. This 30-minute, gluten-free meal only calls for rice noodles and firm tofu, plus flavorful ingredients like peanut butter, honey, soy sauce, bok choy, scallions, and fresh ginger.

18 of 22

Tofu with Tomatoes, Basil, and Mint

Tofu with Tomatoes, basil, and mint recipe

Even vegans can enjoy the wonders of an Italian Caprese salad. Here, we've swapped in soft tofu for the usual mozzarella cheese, it packs in plenty of protein with far less fat.

19 of 22

Tofu Kebabs with Cilantro Sauce

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Isn't everything more fun to eat when it's on a skewer? And you'll want to drizzle this cilantro sauce on anything and everything!

20 of 22

"Barbecued" Tofu

Barbecued tofu sandwich
Sang An

Finger-licking and perfect in a sandwich, this is a delicious meat-free alternative to pulled pork, brisket, or any other traditional barbecue meats. Complete the feast with cornbread, baked macaroni and cheese, and our Vegetarian Collard Greens.

21 of 22

Tofu Scramble with Cotija Cheese and Tortillas

Tofu scramble with cotija cheese and tortillas recipe
Maria Robledo

For breakfast, brunch, or brinner, these tacos will please everyone from picky eaters to carnivores and omnivores alike. They're a great family-friendly meal.

22 of 22

Soy-Maple Broiled Tofu with Broccoli

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Romulo Yanes

An easy, any night dinner, that's super fast. Roasted broccoli is paired with tofu slices that are coated with a maple syrup-soy sauce-chicken stock glaze, and broiled—on the same pan as the broccoli.

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